Franklin E. “Tike” Meek

Franklin “Tike” Meek passed away at his home in Etna on May 21, 2013, surrounded by his loving family and hospice care.

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Siskiyou Daily News, Yreka, CA

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Posted May. 24, 2013 at 11:26 AM
Updated May 24, 2013 at 11:34 AM

Posted May. 24, 2013 at 11:26 AM
Updated May 24, 2013 at 11:34 AM

Franklin "Tike" Meek passed away at his home in Etna on May 21, 2013, surrounded by his loving family and hospice care. He was 90 years old.

Tike was born on Nov. 10, 1922, to Gerald and Marvel Meek. Tike worked for and with his family and never had the opportunity of finishing school, but was a very accomplished man.

Tike was a medic in the U.S. Army during World War II and was wounded in action. He often spoke of his times in Pennsylvania and Germany, and always had a great love for his country and the military. He never missed a Memorial Day event. After his tour of duty in the Army, Tike returned to his beloved Scott Valley and worked for more than 60 years as a cat skinner extraordinaire, building hundreds of miles of logging roads into the rugged mountains, and skidding logs associated with many logging operations during his life.

Tike was a kind and quiet man who was well-known in the logging community throughout the county and, although small in stature, he ran heavy equipment in times of need in Scott Valley, such as the floods of 1955 and 1964, as well as forest fire work. One of his last big jobs was the excavation and repair of the Greenhorn Dam in Yreka when a mine shaft mysteriously drained the reservoir and had to be repaired.

Tike loved his home, plants, trees and gardening, growing anything and everything, and had a touch that shows to this day at his home. Love of his dogs and horses are also evident everywhere you look at his home. He loved his hounds, and other dogs, having breeds like Elk Hounds, and gave homes to many homeless animals as well. He loved the outdoors and spent much time in the mountains with his horses, dogs and family. He was an avid hunter and liked to fish "if the fish were biting." He loved his work and family.

Tike was married to the love of his life, Janice L. Knight, for 60 years. He is also survived by a brother, Donald Meek; two daughters, Janeane Deppen and Eugene Foster; and one granddaughter, Raini Rippy.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Judy Meek; three brothers, Irving "Bud" Meek, Wayne Meek and George "Ritchie" Meek; and two sisters, Ruth Middleton and Babe Meek.

A memorial graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 28, 2013, at the Etna Cemetery. There is no gathering planned following the services.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to Madrone Hospice, 255 Collier Circle, Yreka, CA 96097. Girdner Funeral Chapel is assisting the family. Online condolences may be made at www.girdnerfuneralchapel.com.